Chain



E. F. M. SPEIDEL CHAIN Filed Nov. 9, 1925 lllIlIlllIl/l/ y,

IN VEN TOR. www /f/f ejaw.

patented `lune 22, 1926.

UNITED STATES EDWIN F. M. SPEIDEL, OF EDGEWOOD, RHODE `ISLAND.

l CHAIN. Y

Application filed November 9, 1925.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of chains or bracelets of the eXp-audible type; and has for its object to provide a new and improved form of hinge or connection between the body or box-like links and sliding or connecting links, whereby the links may be readily connected to and disconnected from one another for the purpose of inserting or removing one or more of them to vary the operating length of the bracelet.

A further object `of the invention is to construct a series of body links and a series of connecting links and connect these links of the different series with hinge elements shaped to be connected and disconnected from eachother 'by being slid laterally one over the other, means being provided for e preventing such relative movement, while the links arein operating position.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consistsr of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

in the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation showing my :improved bracelet connected to opposite sides of a watch.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the main portion ofthe body link with the back plate removed. f

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the back plate of the body member showing the abutment for the spring and the coiled hinge elements on one end thereof.

Figure l is a perspective View of the connecting slide link showing the hookshaped hinge elements which are to be connected to and disconnected 'from the hinge elements of the body link by being slid laterally thereover.

Figuie 5 is a perspective viewy of the under side of one of the chain links, showing the body link with the hook-shaped hinge elements on one end thereof and the connecting slide link partially housed in the body link with the hook-shaped hinge elements on the outer end thereof.

Figure 6 is a sectional end view through the body link and the connecting link and showing the tension spring mountedtherein.

Figure 7 `is a side elevation showing the cooperating hinge elements of the body and connecting links separated.

SeraI No. 67,794.

Figure 8 isa top view of the hinge elements showing them staggered and in position to be connected.` i

Figures `9 and l0 are edge and top views,

respectively, showing the hinge elements partly connected.

Figures ll and l2 are edge and top view, respectively, showing the hinge elements in position to be slid laterally one over the other.

Figures ll and 12 are edge and top views, respectively, illust-rating thelink members as having been'slid laterally and swungup into operating position, in whichposition they are prevented from separation.

Figure l5 is a plan view sectioned onv line 15-15 of Figure l showing a pair of body links connected by slide links partially extended. e

` Figure 16 is a sectional side elevation on line 16-16 of Figure 15.

lt is found .in the practical construction and use of bracelets of this character, of advantage to provide means whereby the links may be readily disconnected one from the other for the purpose of adding to or removing from, one or more `links of the bracelet to change its working length; and to accomplish this in a simple and effective way, I have formed a bracelet, the links of which have a hinge construction in which both the body link and the connecting link are provided with hinge elements shaped to be connected and disconnected from each other by being slid laterally onevover the other, and astop is provided for prev-enting such lateral sliding action while the links are in their operating position, that is, in order to separate thev links they must be first swungout of alignment at a sharp angle to each other in order to withdraw the stop, after which the link members to be moved laterally relatively yto each other for ready disengagement; and the follow ing is a detailed description of the present embodiment of my invention and showing one construction of hinge by which these advantageous results may be accomplished lVith reference to the drawings, l0 designates the body link which is formed more or less in box-shape, comprising a body portion 1l having a broad top plate l2 to receive suitable ornamentation, the edges of the side wallslof this body being prko-` vided withbendable flanges lll.

The back plate 15 is recessed longitudinally on its opposite edges and is adapted to be set upon the body member, the flange 14 thereof being rolled inwardly into these recesses 16 to iirmly secure the back plate in position on the body thus forming a box-shaped link member.

One edge of this back plate 1F, is turned inwardly as at 17 to provide an end abutment for the tension spring 18 and the opposite end of this back plate is provided with a pair of hinge men'ibers or lingers 19 which are offset laterally from the center thereof and which members have a space 2O between them approximately the width ot one oitI the members.

As best illustrated in Figure ll, a connecting slide link 21 is mounted in the box link to slide endways therein, its rear wall providing an abutment for the opposite end of the spring 18, the opposite end 23 or this slide link being provided with a pair ot hook-shaped hinge members or lingers 24, preferably ot L width substantially that of the hinge members 19 on the back plate oit the body and the space between 'the hinge members 2 4 is of a width to receiye the hinge members 19 on said back plate, whereby as best illustrated in FiguresV 10 and 12 these Ahinge elements may be caused to interlock or intcrengage with each other.

rI che members Q4 are of 4a size to lit over the coils of the hinge members 19 so that when these hinge members are in axial alignment they may slide laterally relatively to each other into the position best illustrated iii Figi'ire 14E, one. pair being hooked over those of the other pair and after having been slid intol thatposition they are swung back into longitudinal alignment `in which position the edge 26 of the connecting link enters between the side walls 130i the box link thus positively preventing lateral disengaging movement lbetween these links.

In assembling` the parts, it is only necessary to place the connecting` slide link 21 in the box link, insert the spring 1S, then apply the cover plate 15 to the box link and turntlie. edge flanges over to lock the saine together.

It is now only necessary in connecting the different link units to insert the hinge elcments 24 of the connecting link between those of the hinge elements 19 of the box link while set at a sharp angle to each otlier l and then slide these hinge elements one over the other and swing the links up into their normal working position where they are locked against disengagement, and any number of such links may bethus connected to torni a chain of any desired length.

By my improved construction of chain the links ot the different units may be quickly connected and disconnected from each other for the purpose of removing a dani-` aged link or iiiserting a tresh link 'lor the purpose of adjusting the operating` length of the bracelet.

The foregoing description directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I 'desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being delined and limited only by the terms ot the appended claims.

I claim;

1. A chain structure con'iprising a series. of box links each having hinge lingers, a connecting link in each box link, hinge lingers on cach connecting link interlocking with those on the next box link to hold said links hingedly together.

2. A chain structure comprising a series ot outer links, a series ot inner links, extending hinge tingers on the links ol cach series,'the hinge lingers ot the links ot one series interlocking with the hinge lingers oi" the next adjacent link oi the other series to hold said links in hinged relation.

3. A chain structure comprising a series of box links, each having hinge ting-ers, a connecting link in each box link, hinge lingers on each connecting link interlocking with those on the next box link to hold said links hingedly together, said interlocked links being relatively laterally movable when in certain relative positions to disengage said lingers, and stop means for preventing disengagement when vsaid links are in working position.

4. A chain structure.comprising a series of box links, each having hinge fingers, a connecting link in each box link, hinge lingers on each connecting link interlocking with those on the next box link to hold said links hingedly together, said interlocked links being relatively laterally movable when in certain relative positions to discngage said fingers, and stop means tor preventing disengagement when said links are in working position,l said stop means being withdrawn upon swinging said interlocked links at right angles whereby the links may be disengaged by a lateral sliding movement.

5. A chain structure comprising a plurality of box links, a plurality oi connecting links curled hinge lingers on the box links and on the connecting links interlocked in oppositely disposed relation when said links are in working position and 'Foldable one within the other when said links are disposed at substantially right angles, whereby they may be disconnected by a lateral sliding movement.

6. In an extendible chain structure coinprising a plurality of box links, a connecting link slidable in each box link, interconnecting hinge elements carried by each box link and connecting link, said elements being laterally slidable one over the other. stop means carried by said slide link for engaging the next adjacent box link to prevent said sliding action, said means being disengageable from said box upon certain an ular position of said adjacent links, Where y said lateral movement may be accomplished and a separation of said adjacent links accomplished. j

7. An extendible chain structure comprising a series of box links, a connecting link slidable in each box link, interconnecting hinge elements carried by each box and connecting links, said elements being laterally slidable one over the other, and a portion of said connecting link engaging the side Wall oi' the next adjacent box link to prevent lateral movement when said box links are in operating position but to permit Withdrawal when positioned at an angle. to each other.

8. An exten'dible chain structure comprising a series of body link-s, a series of conmeeting links slidable in the body link, each link of each series having a plurality of cooperating spaced apart hinge elements arranged to be connected and disconnected by sliding one over the other laterally, and means in the links for preventing such lateral movement when in operative position.

9. In an extendible chain structure, a plul rality of box links each comprising a trough-shaped member having shouldered side Walls with bendable edge portions, a plate member resting on said shoulders and said edge portions bent thereover, an end Wall carried by said plate and spaced from the bottom and sides of said trough, and a slide link having side Walls slidable through the said spaces and having an abutment end Wall, a spring acting betvveen said end Walls to draw said slide links Within said box, and means for attaching the connecting link to the next adjacent box link.

In testimony whereof I affix signature.

' EDWIN F. M. SPEIDEL. 

